Structured packing for a reactor

Abstract

A structured packing for a reactor is formed from a metal sheet to promote heat and mass transfer near the wall of the reactor. The structured packing causes lateral flow of fluids flowing through the packing such that jet impingement of at least one reactor wall is promoted. The packing may be used in a cylindrical, annular or plate-type reactor, e.g., a catalytic reactor, or a heat exchanger.

1 . A structured packing for a reactor having an inlet, an outlet and at least one wall comprising:
 (a) a sheet folded back and forth, thereby forming a row of alternating first and second columns separated from each other by separating walls;   (b) first and second direction vanes located in the respective first and second columns such that at least some of the first vanes are inclined at an oblique angle to the reactor wall and at least some of the second vanes are inclined at an opposite oblique angle to the reactor wall;   (c) webs connecting the at least some of the first and second vanes to the separating walls along at least one lateral side of the at least some of the first and second vanes; and   (d) a multiplicity of gaps between the separating walls and the reactor wall, extending from the inlet to the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The structured packing of  claim 1  wherein the packing is formed from a single sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The structured packing of  claim 1  wherein the sheet comprises a metal sheet or foil. 
     
     
         4 . The structured packing of  claim 1  wherein the opposite oblique angles all have the same magnitude. 
     
     
         5 . The structured packing of  claim 1  wherein the opposite oblique angles all have different magnitude. 
     
     
         6 . The structured packing of  claim 1  wherein the gaps are discontinuous. 
     
     
         7 . The structured packing of  claim 1  wherein the reactor is cylindrical and contains inner and outer concentric walls and an annulus therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . The structured packing of  claim 7  wherein the packing comprises a row of alternating first and second columns with their respective first and second vanes, said row being disposed in the annulus. 
     
     
         9 . The structured packing of  claim 7  wherein a plate is disposed in the annulus and the packing comprises a row of alternating first and second columns with their respective first and second vanes, said row being disposed in the annulus. 
     
     
         10 . The structured packing of  claim 1  wherein a catalyst is present on at least a portion of the sheet. 
     
     
         11 . the structured packing of  claim 1  wherein the reactor comprises a catalytic reactor. 
     
     
         12 . The structured packing of  claim 1  wherein the reactor comprises a heat exchanger.